ABSTRACT
The system would clearly permit great flexibility and economy for the Library of Congress (LC), but it would have an even greater impact on American librarianship in general. The survey pictured LC's great reading room cleared of bulky card catalog cases, and in their place, dozens of desk-sized computer terminals at which readers would sit and ask questions. The central computer is accessed by 1,033 terminals distributed around the various Library of Congress buildings, and the minicomputers are tied to another 113 terminals. The idea of LC providing the professional, high-quality, authority-based bibliographic information for many networks and facilities is accepted and progressing. The idea of a great computerized system of bibliographic cradle-to-grave information has been pushed back on the shelf, and LC is automating specific chunks, one procedure or product at a time.
